517 creations

C.S. Lewis printable...

2013-05-21T15:48:00.000-05:00

In yesterday's post I said that I would be back today with a matching printable...

Such a simple reminder by C.S. Lewis that, although it can apply to graduation, is pretty appropriate for the aftermath of the horrific tragedy that happened in Moore, Oklahoma yesterday. We happened to stay in Moore last Tuesday night (just a week ago) to break up our trip to Texas. We are looking for opportunities to go and serve in Moore to "pay it forward" for all of the fantastic support that the Joplin community received 2 years ago. I will keep you all posted of ways you can help!

graduation printables...

2013-05-20T08:59:00.006-05:00

A few months ago the awesome Kim of Today's Creative Blog was looking for printables contributors for TCB - and she chose me (as one of the group)!

Kim wrote a post for Disney's Spoonful.com for graduation that included a chalkboard banner that I designed and a sweet printable quote, designed by Creative Girl Media.

If you're throwing a graduation party, the banner would be great for the fireplace or as a "feature" at the party and the quote would make a sweet gift for any graduate. I'll be back here tomorrow with a free printable that matches the graduate banner!

You can view the post here and download both graduation printables!

father's day gift idea

2013-05-15T08:45:00.000-05:00

Father's Day is just a few weeks away! I wanted to share (again) what I created for Scott for Father's Day last year and what you can have created for a special father in your life!

This is sized to fit a 10 x 20 frame we have on our gallery wall, so I'll have it printed at Sam's as a 16 x 20 for $5.95 and trim it down to size. A great Father's Day present for less than $10!

Would you like one for your husband for Father's Day? This would also make a great birthday present! I've listed this over in my shop! If you don't see it listed, shoot me an e-mail and I'll set up a custom listing for you! If you supply the photos, I'll do the work in Photoshop and e-mail you a photo that's ready to upload to your favorite print shop! I'll even customize it to any size you'd like!

The Wide Spectrum of Mothering

2013-05-13T08:49:00.000-05:00

**This post is totally different that most that I post here, but I thought it was so important after celebrating Mother's Day yesterday.**

My husband, Scott, spoke about the legacy we leave as parents (and grandparents, aunts and uncles, teachers, etc.) yesterday and included a special prayer for Mother's Day. One of the things that he pointed out was that Mother's Day doesn't always bring happy memories for everyone. For some people it is the most painful day of the year. For some, it's the first Mother's Day without their mom. For others, it's the first Mother's Day without their child. For others still, it's a reminder of the longing they have every day for a child of their own. This really spoke to me, as I was in the middle of celebrating my first Mother's Day as a mother of two, with a sweet daughter added to our family this year.

After we got home from lunch, I saw this picture below. "The Wide Spectrum of Mothering" by Amy Young was read at a local church during their services yesterday and I thought it was so fitting...it was exactly what Scott had spoken about. I thought that it was worth sharing today, as a reminder that everyone is going through something and needs prayer for their certain situation! Will you join with me in praying for each of "those" listed below?

Have a wonderful week as you bring hope into your home though the One who brings us all hope!

Great bib tutorial!

2013-05-06T17:15:00.000-05:00

I apologize for the radio silence around the blog - we were in Texas all last week for a funeral and are headed back tomorrow for Scott's graduation from seminary! I came across this great bib tutorial from Fishsticks Designs this weekend and wanted to share it with you.

This pattern is fantastic! It has patterns for bibs in three sizes, lots of pictures, and is extremely well-written. And it's ALL FREE! I used cotton for the front of my bibs and terry cloth for the back. I was looking for chenille, but both Joann's and Hobby Lobby were out of it.

If you're looking for a baby gift idea, or have a baby yourself to sew for, definitely check this pattern out!

link love: 04.27.2013

2013-04-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

The stomach virus hit me hard this week...ugh! I spent a day or two in bed, so I had a lot of time to check out Pinterest. Here is some "link love" for this week!

Source: justsomethingimade.com via Mary Jo on Pinterest

I used this pin yesterday on a pair of my son's jeans that were a couple of inches too long. The awesome thing is that (if you don't trim the extra cuff) you can let the hem back out when your child hits that inevitable growth spurt!

Source: countryliving.com via Mary Jo on Pinterest

File cabinets painted yellow with a plywood top...so fantastic!

Source: thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com via Mary Jo on Pinterest

I love this IKEA hack into a farmhouse table!

Source: redflycreations.com via Mary Jo on Pinterest

This is on my "to bake" list for this weekend - yum!

Did you come across any great pins this week? Happy weekend!

{MOPS craft}: blessing bags...

2013-04-22T09:47:00.001-05:00

Are you part of a MOPS group? Or have you been in the past? It stands for "Mothers of Preschoolers" and has been one of my favorite things that I've been a part of since becoming a mom. We meet every other week for breakfast (without kiddos!), a speaker of some sort, and a craft. The "craft part" is what I'm responsible for. We typically make some sort of craft that can be made quickly and on the cheap - since we have over 50 moms in attendance!

This past week we made Blessing Bags.

Blessing Bags are kits that you put in a plastic zip-top bag to keep in your and hand out when you come across someone in need. Here's what we put in our Blessing Bags:

1. Bottle of water

2. Washcloth

3. Toothbrush

4. Applesauce

5. Cheese and crackers

6. Shampoo

7. Peanut butter crackers

8. Toothpaste

9. Band-aids

10. Granola bar

11. A sweet printable from Joy's Hope.

I bought all of the supplies to make between 40 and 50 bags for a little over $90! We have also put these together with our college students and asked everyone to bring an item for the bags. Either way, it doesn't have to cost a lot of money...but it can make a big difference in someone's day!

instagram highlights: march

2013-04-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

I know we're halfway through April already, but here are our Instagram highlights for March. I'm mjsmith723 on instagram if you want to follow along!

hanging out while I cook // PW Cinnamon Rolls = enough said! // wild hair in the morning

be still my heart // a sneak peek of an industrial table // a wood pallet project (more later!)
my little worker bee // doughnuts at a wedding = awesome! // lots of stripes on a little girl

relish the charms...

2013-04-16T08:56:00.000-05:00

**I wrote this post last week but it seems especially appropriate after the horrible tragedy in Boston yesterday. I am thankful for a God who is bigger than all of the evil in the world.**

Do y'all read Kelly's Korner blog? I was catching up on some blog-reading and came across this picture on her blog. The quote is from Jen Hatmaker, a church planter's wife who lives in Austin, from her devotional book Out of the Spin Cycle.

As the momma of 2 sweet little kiddos (Grayson is 5 and Mollie Kate is 4 months), this TOTALLY spoke to me. There are a lot of days that we make it to the very end of the day, when the house is totally quiet, and I think "Another day of their little lives has passed." The days with preschoolers sometimes seem SO LONG, but the years go by so quickly. My husband even reminded me at breakfast this morning that Grayson is 1/4 of the way to 20 years old. Goodness gracious.

I love the photo above, but I wanted one that I could put in our house - maybe on the fridge? Or above the kitchen sink? So I created this little printable below. Feel free to download it, Pin it, share it!

I thank God for our sweet little kiddos every day and am going to be making the choice to relish the charms of the present! Have a wonderful week!

white appliances: yay or nay?

2013-04-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

When we remodeled our kitchen 2 years ago, we decided on a black stove to match the black refrigerator (that we already had) and the black dishwasher that was already in the kitchen. You can see a tiny bit of the dishwasher on the right side of the sink in this photo.

That dishwasher has become my nemesis over the last two years. I never really felt like the dishes were clean when they came out of the dishwasher. Scott and I talked about getting a new dishwasher for months, but had a million other things going on (like having a new baby) and kept putting it off. The whole time I was dreaming of a new dishwasher and started to see white dishwashers in white kitchens popping up on Pinterest.

Source: houzz.com via Mary Jo on Pinterest

Even Miss Mustard Seed has a white dishwasher in her FABULOUS kitchen!

Source: missmustardseed.com via Mary Jo on Pinterest

I love how the white dishwashers seem to blend in with the cabinets instead of breaking up the line of white with a black or stainless appliance.

Well, my nemesis finally bit the dust last week! I was so excited to go appliance shopping.

A little side note, if buying a new dishwasher is the highlight of your work, you might be getting old. ;)

A local appliance store was having a fantastic sale and we walked out with a dishwasher in less than 30 minutes. If you follow me on Instagram, you saw this peek of our new dishwasher.

I'm working on another post with an updated picture of our kitchen. Until then, I'll be enjoying the QUIET dishwasher and SUPER CLEAN dishes.

printing instagram photos: printicular

2013-04-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

I was a little late to the Instagram bandwagon but I LOVE it (follow me on Instagram here)! I am finding that it's a little more "friendly" than Facebook and come on, there are pretty pictures to look at! Ha!

I was looking for a way to print some Instagram photos for a project that I'm working on (to be posted soon!) and came across the Printicular app. Y'all, this app is fantastic!

It's a free download from the App store that allows you to print Instagram photos directly from your photo to Walgreens...and they're ready in an hour! Each photo is $0.39 which is just a little higher than your regular print price, but the photos are printed on 4x4 photo paper sheets.

You simply download the app and open it up. Your screen will look like this.

Choose your Instagram account and select the photos you'd like printed.

Click "Print to Walgreens" and follow the steps for selecting your store, etc. That's it! Wait an hour and pick up your awesome Instagram photos.

By the way, Walgreens and Printicular have no idea who I am...I just wanted to share something that works for me!

Do you print your Instagram photos? What website or app do you use?

My Easter peeps...

2013-04-02T10:49:00.000-05:00

A few pictures of my Easter peeps....

and my little Easter bunny....

I hope you had a wonderful Easter celebrating everything the day means!

{quick tip}: plastic grocery bags

2013-03-25T09:56:00.000-05:00

I'm here today with a simple little tip - what to do with those plastic grocery bags that seem to multiple at an alarming rate!

We keep MK's diapers in the top drawer of the dresser that I spruced up. It takes up a drawer, but since we hang a lot of her clothes, it hasn't been a space issue for us yet.

One little tip I have to share is to keep one of the plastic wipe "boxes" and stuff it full of plastic grocery bags to stuff those unusually stinky diapers in before they go in the trash can.

It is SO handy and helps keep the plethora of plastic bags under control! Do you have any great tips for storing those plastic grocery bags?

Don't forget to enter the "31 Days to a Heart of Hospitality" e-book giveaway! Today is your last day to enter!

instagram highlights: february

2013-03-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

I know we're halfway through March already, but here are our Instagram highlights for February. I'm mjsmith723 on instagram if you want to follow along!

waking up to this face every morning = priceless// seriously good home-made cookie cake // Lego hold-up

flowers from a sweet neighbor // sweet baby face // a little snuggle time with both kiddos

my kitchen smells SO good // cape + popcorn + Peter Pan = afternoon date//I "lov" him, too

such a good big brother// watching the snow plow - he wants one on his ranch when he grows up // Snowman Grayson and Snowgirl Mollie

31 days to a heart of hospitality ebook {giveaway!}

2013-03-19T11:38:00.001-05:00

I have a treat for you today! I was recently given the opportunity to read Edie's new e-book, 31 Days to a Heart of Hospitality, and y'all...it is SO, SO good!

Edie's book is full of practical ways to show hospitality to our friends, neighbors, and our own families. Here is one of my favorite quotes that Edie uses to describe the core of her book:

Hospitality isn’t about inviting people into our perfect homes, it’s about inviting them into our imperfect hearts.

I know that the blogging world often talks about our homes not having to be perfect (insert the Nester's famous quote "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful." here) to be HOME. And Edie definitely stresses that in her book, too. I guarantee that your friends won't care about the crumbs on your floor or the dog fur in the corner, but will be touched by your hospitality...at least I'm hoping that's true with MY friends! Ha!

Edie has graciously agreed to give 2 copies of her awesome e-book away! If you'd like to win a copy of 31 Days to a Heart of Hospitality, please use the rafflecopter widget below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Downton obsessed...

2013-03-12T09:25:00.000-05:00

How many of you are as into Downton Abbey as I am? I have to admit that I was totally late to the game, but started watching Season 1 while Scott was out of town for a week in January and literally could not stop watching!

I am eagerly awaiting Season 4 (I heard it's not airing in the US until January 2014?! Come on, PBS!) and eating up the hilarious Downton pins on Pinterest. I came across these 7 Beauty Lessons Learned from Downton Abbey on Daily Glow and had to share!

1. Your complexion always looks better in candlelight.

Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
2. For an instant anti-aging trick, stand next to someone who's at least 30 years your senior.

Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
3. Don't underestimate the power of a red lip.

Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
4. If you're going without makeup, make sure your skin is flawless.

Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
5. When in doubt, wear a hat.

Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
6. You'll never have a bad hair day if you stick to braids and updos.

Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTER
7. A blushing bride is a beautiful bride… as long as she's not left at the altar. (Sorry, Edith)

Were you into Downton Abbey? Or did you come to the party late like me?

Treat others....

2013-03-04T08:00:00.000-06:00

‎"I was raised to treat others how you want to be treated." LOVE this!

link love: 03.02.2013

2013-03-02T07:00:00.000-06:00

It's been a while since I've posted my weekly "link love" post, but I'm officially starting the posts up again!

Here's a collection of links that I've found around the web (and Pinterest!) this week...

DIY Confetti Party Backdrop via A Bubbly Life

Think of all of the cute color combinations you could use with this?!

DIY Chalk Paint Recipe via I Heart Naptime

I DIYed my own chalk paint using baking soda but will definitely be trying this recipe! Now to find a piece of furniture (or two) to paint.

Vintage Numbered Crates via Lolly Jane

I am thinking these would look adorable on the shelves of the built-ins in our family room!

Master Bedroom {Before & After} via Dixie Delight

I love this bright and airy master bedroom makeover!

currently...

2013-02-21T09:49:00.001-06:00

I have loved these posts but haven't written one before...so today is as good as any!

Currently happening right now...

Listening to the freezing rain and thunder outside of our house and the sounds of my little boy playing inside the house. Snow day!

Loving that this baby girl is using one of the same blankets her big brother did when he was a baby.

Reading Kisses from Kate...finally!

Excited about getting into our new church building this weekend...that's another long story to tell soon!

What about you? Have you written a Currently post? Leave me a link in the comments!

happy {heart} day...

2013-02-14T21:41:00.000-06:00

from my two little valentines!

MK's two month well-check...

2013-02-13T10:44:00.000-06:00

Mollie Kate had her two month well-check with our favorite Dr. Sam on Monday. The nurses scheduled her check for us, which ended up putting us at her two month well-check when she was 11 weeks and 1 day old. Oh well! :)

**I had to get a picture of the band-aids on her chubby little thighs**

Here are Mollie's 2 month stats:

Weight: 11 lbs (25th%)

Height: 23.5 inches (50th-75th %) - up 2.5 inches from birth!

Clothing: 3 months (but she is growing out of those length-wise, she's a tall girl!)

Diapers: Squeezing into Size 1 for the last few diapers :)
Sleeping: 8-9 hours a night!
Tricks: Smiling at everyone (but saves the best smiles for her brother) and cooing, which always results in the hiccups

Here's a little comparison for you:

** Grayson after his two month check up, with band-aids on his chubby, little thighs **

Love these two kids!

{DIY}: LOVE hand and footprints

2013-02-12T10:30:00.001-06:00

I know it's just 2 days before Valentine's Day, but I have a cute, simple, and inexpensive craft for you! It would be the perfect Valentine’s Day present for your children’s’ grandparents.

I started with a 1”x8” board that was about 24 inches long. Be sure to sand the rough edges so your littles won't

end up with splinters!

I gave it two quick coats of paint in Cherry Cobbler.

In order to figure out the spacing for the hand and footprints, I traced the “L” (Pharmacy font size 515) and the “e” (Pharmacy font size 492) onto my board with a ball-point pen. I simply traced over the letters that I had printed out on my computer, which made a little indention on the board.

Next, using white paint, I painted my little guy’s hand and pressed it on the board to form the “o” and my little baby girl’s feet to form the “v”. After their hand and footprints were complete, I simply filled in the “L” and “e” with the same white acrylic paint using a small paint brush.

I love having this on my mantel of the great and wonderful blessings that the Lord has given our little family!

Linking up to:

Tutorials and Tips Linky Party @ Home Stories A to Z

Be Different Act Normal

Home Stories A to Z'

30 Days Reader's Choice Link Up

Skip to My Lou

Pinterest Test Kitchen: M&M Giant Cookie Cake

2013-02-11T07:00:00.000-06:00

I was browsing Pinterest for a dessert to bring to a Superbowl party with a little 5-year-old peeking over my shoulder. Of course, when the cookie cake pin came across my little iPhone screen, Grayson immediately decided THAT was the dessert we needed to bring. And I'm so glad he picked it! This recipe is DELICIOUS and easy-to-make. I should have taken a picture of it as soon as it came out of the oven, because there is one little, tiny piece left to photograph...and then after quickly snapping an instagram pic I ate that little, tiny piece.

The only change I made was the advice of the author and using 1/2 cup of butter and 1/2 cup of butter-flavored shortening.

This Cookie Cake was SO much better and more flavorful than those super expensive ones you can buy at the mall.

Check out the recipe here at Cookie Madness: http://www.cookiemadness.net/2008/08/mm-chocolate-chip-cookie-cake/

mk's dresser...after

2013-02-07T07:00:00.001-06:00

Back in August, I showed you the "before" of MK's dresser. It was HIDEOUS shape to start with, but had a beautiful shape.

In September, I tried out Annie Sloan's Duck Egg chalk paint and loved the ease that the paint went on with and loved the color...I just didn't love the color against the gray walls of the nursery.

Anxious to save some money and try out some of the DIY chalk paint recipes floating around Pinterest, I set out to paint the dresser in a different color. I chose Sweet Nothing by Behr, a gorgeous, barely-there pink color.

I came across this recipe from Dear Emmeline and picked it...simply because I already had the ingredients at home! :) You can pick up a sample pot of paint from Home Depot for $2.94 (exactly 1 cup of flat paint) and a box of baking soda for less than $1! I am thrilled with the results, for less than $4 - less than half of the price of AS chalk paint.

The dresser was missing a few of the drawer pulls so I simply threaded ribbon through the holes for a few months until I found what I was looking for. On a weekly trip to Home Depot I came across these pulls (they were originally brass) that look simply sweet on the dresser with a coat of white spray paint.

I would definitely recommend this DIY chalk paint recipe and will continue to use it myself! It has held up remarkably well (I finished it with a coat of Minwax paste wax) over the near-constant use of the dresser/changing table.

Another peek of the dresser from the door to MK's room...it turned out exactly as I pictured!

Linked up to:

Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed

Be Different Act Normal

Home Stories A to Z'

Skip to My Lou

30 Days Reader's Choice Link Up

instagram highlights: january

2013-02-05T16:03:00.000-06:00

Where did the month of January go? We spent a pretty good portion of the month hanging out with our sweet baby Mollie, as evidenced by some of my Instagram photos for the month.

holding a sleeping baby...best job ever // squishy cheeks //a little dresser photoshoot

our birthstones - my Christmas present to myself // my sewing supervisors // so jealous of my kiddos' eyelashes

a little felt flower crafting // Mollie was Grayson's "special guest" for "M week" // crazy kids, blessed momma

rockin' an awesome headband // crafting for MOPS // heart-a-day for February for Grayson

*****

You can follow me on Instagram here

****

My Christmas present to myself was a set of stacking rings that feature all of our birthstones (Grayson and I share blue topaz for December, Mollie's birthstone is Citrine for November, and Scott's is Pink Tourmaline for October) from All Wired Up Jewelry Designs on Etsy. Pennee was not only fantastic to work with, but she worked FAST! I had my custom-made ring just a few short days after ordering. She doesn't know that I'm mentioning anything and I didn't receive anything for this, just thought it would be a GREAT Valentine's Day gift for someone out there! :)